Gloria Stavers

 

 

Martha Louise Jordon, age 20, and Edward Peele Gurganus, age 30, were married by a Justice of the Peace in Wilmington, North Carolina on August 20, 1925.  On October 3, 1927, Gloria Frances Gurganus was born at 7:30 pm at Bulluck Hospital in Wilmington.  Gloria was raised in Goldsboro, North Carolina, but little is known about her childhood, other than it is reported she had rheumatic fever. 

After high school Gloria married, some say in order to escape her less than glamorous surroundings.  The couple moved to Washington, D.C. and then to Ithaca, New York.  This new life also did not appear to fulfill Gloria's ambitions, however, and at some point she left to live in New York City.  Choosing a new name for her new life, Gloria Stavers parlayed her glamorous looks and savvy social skills into success as a model. She also frequented the hottest nightclubs such as El Morocco on the arms of well-known moguls, athletes, and actors.  Gloria generated regular attention from columnists like Walter Winchell and Earl Wilson, who often quote her witty observations. But being a model .on the fringes of the jet set was still not fullfilling her dreams of big city success. Then a fortuitous meeting at a party in 1958 with French-born literary agent Jacques Chambrun would set Gloria on the path that would define the rest of her life.  

In 1957, Chambrum had successfully published a one-shot "All About Elvis" magazine with editor George Waller.  With the added vision of agent Desmond Hall, they developed an idea for a magazine about young male rock and rollers aimed at girls up to age 16.  They created a fictional editor in chief named Georgia Winters and the first issue of 16 Magazine ("The Magazine for Smart Girls") dated May, 1957 hit the stands at a whopping 15 cents cover price.  Less than a year later, 16 Magazine was generating stacks of mail when Gloria and Jacques met.  Jacques hired her as subscription clerk at 50 cents per hour to handle fan letters and subscription requests. 

Gloria immediately identified with the heartfelt letters full of adoration for the latest teen idols, and she took it upon herself to bring her readers closer to them.  Throwing aside the standard press bios, she developed a unique questionnaire to get the type of personal information her readers wanted from their faves.  She called press agents, the stars themselves, and knocked on doors if necessary.  The success of what would become "40 Intimate Questions" impressed Chambrun enough to appoint Gloria Stavers editor-in-chief of 16 Magazine in late 1958. 

For the next 17 years, Gloria Stavers was the heart and soul of 16 Magazine.  She conducted the interviews and took the photos with her trusty Rolleiflex.  She developed the style for which 16 would become famous by combining interviews, color pinups, contests and advice columns.  In addition to the myriad editorial decisions, she was a savvy advisor to many of the young stars, unwavering in her opinions of what fashions, hairstyles and behavior would appeal to 16 readers.  Gloria had an instinctive ability to identify and develop stars, and record companies regularly consulted her on how to promote their artists.  Her advice columns gave a forum to early teens, many of whom, like Gloria, felt isolated in their small towns. Gloria celebrated their teenage crushes rather than dismissing them. 16 may have been the teenybopper's bible, but Gloria also introduced her young readers (in columns such as GeeGee's Gossip) to folk, jazz, cabaret and other music, as well as to actors and comedians who were outside of  the mainstream. Under her leadership, 16's sales reached 1.2 million in 1967.  In 1975, Gloria made the decision to leave 16.  She wrote freelance articles and took photographs, edited Hit Parade magazine, and pursued other passions such as studying Buddhism.  In the fall of 1982, Gloria was diagnosed with lung cancer.  She died on April 1, 1983 in New York City at age 55. 

Gloria Stavers  was a pioneer in the male-dominated world of publishing, single-handedly creating a genre that would mature into today's rock music journalism.  She mentored and inspired other writers, photographers, and editors, many of whom are still in the business today. Gloria also left a legacy beyond her influence on the publishing and entertainment industry.  She encouraged millions of young people to follow their dreams, and presented them with a glimpse into a groovy adult world where anything was possible.

Comments

[Karen]

Robin, will you get in touch with me at [email protected]
I have a question to ask you. Thanks! Karen (webmaster of this site)

[Karen]

Robin, have you friended my "Gloria Stavers-Tribute" page on Facebook?

[Karen]

Robin, thank you so much for your wonderful post! It really captures the sometimes conflicting aspects of Gloria that made her such a fascinating person. She inspired a lot of young people because she didn't patronize us, and a lucky few knew her and were mentored by her. When someone shares her memories of Gloria, it is like a precious gift that I cherish. I'm so glad that you found this site.

Peace,
Karen

[Robin]

Gloria was my meditation tutor and I had no inkling of this other rich and astonishing life, though I am not surprised. I was assigned to her in the fall of '73 when I was learning meditation. Very early one morning, when I missed an appointment, she called my parents' house, woke them, they woke me and I made some excuse for forgetting. "DON'T LIE!" she thundered through the phone, "it doesn't become you." I'm sure it lodged in my limbic system as 40 years later I still can't contemplate a lie without hearing Gloria and thinking twice. At the time, I'd just graduated from school and was profoundly lost. The acting career I'd hoped and trained for died out on those long cattle call lines. Gloria treated my disappointment and humiliation with respect and helped me down an important stretch of road that's led me to a fulfilling career, adopting a daughter and much love in my life. I'm up at this ungodly hour on Thanksgiving Eve, discovering this site, because when I can't sleep, I often picture myself meditating with Gloria and feeling the love radiating from her heart into mine, filling me with ease and peace. Then I picture my love radiating back to her. Wherever she is, may she receive it!

[Lesa Beaty]

So glad I happened upon this cool site! I loved 16 magazine as a young teen, and I still use the word fave on a regular basis to this day. It is so nice to learn more about Gloria.

[Gloria Stavers-Tribute]

Sabrina, thank you so much for linking to this website from the Wikipedia page!

[Sabrina Messenger]

Excellent info. I was the one who started the Gloria Stavers Wikipedia Entry, and it's nice to see others who are also interested in honoring this amazing lady. I think it can be argued that Gloria Stavers actually did more for young girls and the cause of feminism than Gloria Steinam. Gloria strikes me as the kind of person who knew it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. She certainly inspired me as a young girl with 16 Magazine to go for my dreams.